Welcome from the Deans' Office

For over a century, the University of Minnesota Law School has been the choice of ambitious, energetic, and public-minded students nationwide. It is easy to see why.

Our faculty ranks in the top nationally as some of the most productive and influential scholars in legal education. At the same time, in true Minnesota tradition, they pride themselves on accessibility and the quality of their teaching. With a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and doors that are always open, you will get to know your professors, and you will enjoy your classroom experience.

The faculty also takes seriously their responsibility to train ethical lawyers. At Minnesota, we are unsurpassed in the integration of theoretical and practical training. Hallmarks of our attempt to present the best in both include:

    * One of the largest clinic programs in the country, with 19 clinics.

    * The 8th largest law library in the country.

    * 10 unique faculty-run research institutes, providing research assistant positions for our students, and contributing to policy formation and national debate on issues relating to race and poverty, international human rights, health and life sciences, and business law.

    * 8 separate moot court programs and 7 scholarly journals.

Another distinguishing feature relates to our location. Due to the quality of life, Minneapolis is rated consistently as one of the best places to live. Moreover, given its position as a leading midwestern legal community (the 8th Circuit sits here and there is a Federal Reserve Bank downtown) our students have ready access to federal and state courts, numerous clerkship opportunities with private and public employers, and rich cultural and recreational activities. For those who care to leave, however, opportunities abound – 85 percent of the employers who recruit through our on-campus and regional interview programs seek students for out-of-state positions.

Students who choose to attend our Law School are talented, ambitious, and public-minded. They enjoy a 99 percent average employment rate, and 25 percent accept prestigious judicial clerkships. Our alumni practice in all 50 states, with over 275 alumni serving as federal and state court judges nationwide.

As one of the elite public law schools, we are confident you will receive an excellent education, well grounded in theory, ethics, and practical application.  We appreciate your interest, invite your questions, and encourage you to become a member of our diverse Law School community.